Press Release
May 10, 2005

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce today announced the fifteen winners of the 2005 Building Brooklyn Awards.  The annual Building Brooklyn Awards (BBA) recognize recently completed construction projects that have had a positive impact on the borough’s economy and quality of life.

“Brooklyn is booming with new residential, commercial and retail construction in almost every neighborhood.  This year, our Judging Committee selected fifteen excellent projects out of fifty-four total nominations.  These awards remind us how much new investment is driving development all across the borough,” said Brooklyn Chamber President Kenneth Adams.

A nine-member independent panel of Brooklyn-based architects, planners, economic development experts and city officials selected the winning projects.  Projects were judged on a list of criteria including: overall aesthetic and design, positive economic impact, improving the quality of life, providing critical neighborhood services and amenities, demonstrating a commitment to quality design and pre-existing architectural character, and demonstrating an aesthetic sensitivity to the surrounding community.

The Brooklyn Chamber is proud to announce the fifteen winning projects that will be honored during the event on June 28 at the Brooklyn Museum:

The Brooklyn Museum Entry Pavilion & Plaza in the Arts and Culture category:  A dramatic $63 million renovation to its façade, two novel fountains adorning the plaza, and a new light-filled 9,000 sqf interior lobby.   (Prospect Heights)

Williamsburg Branch Library Renovation & Rehabilitation in the Community Facility category:  A major restoration and modernization of its entire 26,000 sqf library.  This $4 million rehabilitation project is a significant community resource and a catalyst for attracting new residents and businesses.  (Williamsburg)

Packer Collegiate Institute in the Education category: A handsome $17 million redesign project to maximize the use of its existing facility.  The project uplifted the deconsecrated church while successfully maintaining the architectural integrity of the church façade.  (Brooklyn Heights)

Steiner Studios in the industrial category:  A $120 million new construction of a film and television production facility in Brooklyn, which is the largest on the East Coast.  (Brooklyn Navy Yard)

80 Arts, The James E. Davis Arts Building, and Sound Portraits Production in the Office category:  The 80 Arts is a $6 million conversion of a once vacant 30,000 sqf building into 14 office spaces for non-profit arts and cultural organizations.  Sound Portraits Production, which is housed in 80 Arts, is dedicated to bringing neglected American voices to the national audience through radio documentaries and national oral history initiatives.  (Fort Greene)

Parade Ground in Prospect Park in the Parks and Open Spaces category:  A $12.5 million reconstruction involving massive engineering and landscaping.  This opened up 40 acres of open spaces, which provide active and passive recreation for people of all ages.  (Prospect Park)

Stillwell Avenue Subway Terminal in the Public Works category:  This is a new, attractive gateway to Coney Island, accommodating four subway lines.  It has a solar-generating glass roof that allows natural light and keeps snow off the tracks in Winter.  (Coney Island)

Show House, 380 Lewis Avenue in the Residential – Affordable Housing category: Renovation of a 112-year old Romanesque Revival/French Renaissance building into eight light-filled condos.  (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

342 Sackett Street in the Residential – 1 to 5 Dwellings category:  This well-designed $500,000 project maximizes the use of natural light for brightness and warmth throughout the year.  (Carroll Gardens)

The Ice House, 1024 Dean Street in the Residential – Multi-Family category:  A conversion from a vacant industrial building into a six-unit residential building, totaling 14,000 sqf.  This $1.4 million project utilized sustainable construction methods throughout.  The building is designed to achieve the silver rating in Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  (Crown Heights)

Prattstore in the Retail – Building category:  Construction of a new 15,000 sqf modern style art supply store. This project helps to anchor and bring shoppers to the area.  It also features performance and gallery space for the community.  (Clinton Hill)

West Elm d.u.m.b.o in the Retail – Storefront category:  A test/concept store used to roll out a brand new line of urban loft-syle home furniture.  The success of this store renews interest to the neighborhood and helps establish it as a trendy destination for furniture shoppers.  (DUMBO)

Trey Whitfield School received Honorable Mention for Unique Community Impact:  This former NYC Human Resources Administration building was converted into a $8 million not-for-profit elementary school serving 500 students from the East New York area.  Currents students perform at or above grade level, achieving a 9th place ranking out of 143 schools in the Brooklyn school district.  Over 72% of its students finished High School with honors and over 95% continue on to higher education.  (East New York)

Atlantic Terminal Retail received Honorable Mention for Unique Economic Impact:  A $120 million mixed use development that generated 2,300 office jobs and 1,000 retail positions.  This project contributes to the continuing revitalization of Downtown Brooklyn. (Fort Greene)

For more information on the winning projects and the BBA event, click here or call Mack Tham at 718 875-1000 ext. 142.